Electrical control system



7, 1935. E. R. WOLFERT 2,000,729

ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM Filed June 29, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 Fig.1.

WITNESSEZz' INVENTOR 547W. 4 [dwaraEh/ol/arf.

m z w {Maj ATTORNEY M y 1935- E, R. WOLFERT 2,000,729

ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM Filed June 29, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l2 figa 2 dud 0 53 WITNESSES: INVENTOR Patented May 7, 1935 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Edward B. Woifert, Wllklnsburg, Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Penmylvania Application June 29, 1933, Serial No. 010,221 3 Claims. (or. 171-119) My invention relates to systems of electric ganized in accordance with one embodiment of motor control wherein directional motor control my invention; and, means are employed for controlling the opera- Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate different modifications tion of a motor associated with a motor-actuated of the apparatus and circuits shown in Fig. 1.

5 device, such for example, as is used to regulate Like reference characters indicate similar 5 an electric characteristic, such as voltage, of an parts in the different views of the drawings. electrical circuit. Referring to the drawings, and particularly to In regulating devices thatare motor-operated Fig. 1 thereof, an induction regulator I is illusthroughout a predetermined range between es-. trated connected for regulating the voltage of in tablished limits of travel for the purpose of rega circuit comprising circuit conductors 2 and 8, m ulating an electric characteristic. such as voltand comprising a primary or stator winding 4 age of a circuit, it is often desirable to control that is connected between the circuit conductors, the motor to automatically operate the regulatand a secondary or rotor winding I that is coning device to some predetermined neutral or nected in series relation to the circuit conductor normal position from any point intermediate 8. A motor 6 is provided for changing the rela- 1 its limits of travel. In induction voltage regutive positions of the primary and secondary lators. for example, that comprise a stationary windings of the induction regulator and is illusmember and a rotatable member, the relative trated as a three-phase alternating current positions of which eifect an increase or decrease motor arranged to be energized from the auxin the voltage of the circuit in which it is con iliary supply conductors I, t and 9. 20 I nected, it is desirable to operate the rotor of the The motor 6 is controlled in accordance with regulator to its neutral position before disconthe operation of two groups of circuit controlling necting the regulator from the circuit. The or directional motor switches II and i2, and II position of the rotor of an induction regulator and N, that are selectively energized by the is usually controlled by a motor energized in acoperation of electric-discharge devices or, gridcordance with the operation of a contact-makglow tubes It and II that are, in turn, coning voltmeter that is energized in accordance trolledTJy a contact-making voltmeter ll having with the voltage of the circuit that is being regan armature winding it connected to a voltage ulated. It is desirable. when taking such a regtransformer is that is energized in accordance so ulator from service, to operate the rotor thereof with the voltage between the circuit conductors so to its midpoint. This may be done by providing 2 and I. manual means for controlling the regulator The motor operating switches ll, l2, it and motor and the provision of a dial indicating It are" illustrated as being of the liquid type when the rotor of the regulator is in its neutral comprising a glass housing It containing a con- 33 position. It is often. however, inconvenient or ducting liquid 22, such as mercury, and having 35 undesirable to operate the motor in this manner. parallel sections 23 and 24 connected together It is an object of my invention to provide by a constricted section 26. A magnetizable animproved system of control for an electric member 26 that tends to float on theiiquid 22 motor. normally controlled by means of tube is placed in the elongated section 23 and sets -relays to operate within a predetermined range as an armature member for the winding 21 40 in either direction from a predetermined'point, that surrounds the lower portion of the section in which said motor may he returned to said 23; Terminal members 28 and 2! extend predetermined point from any position within through the lower walls of the sections- 28 and its operating range at the will of the attendant. 24, respectively and contact with the conducting It is a further object of my invention to proliquid within the sections of. the switch. 45 vide a system of control for a motor-operated The windings 21 ofthe directional switches electric regulator normally actuated within a H and I2 are connected in parallel circuit repredetermined range on either side of a predelation and energized simultaneously to close a termined neutral point to operate towardand circuit for ei'lecting the operation of the motor automatically stop at said predetermined neutral 6 in one direction. The windings 21 of the 50 point. directional switches It and It are connected .My invention will be better understood from in parallel circuit relation and arranged to be the following description taken-in connection simultaneously energized to close a circuit for with the accompanying drawings, in which: eilecting the operation of the motor 6 in the 5 Figure 1 illustrates apparatus and circuits oropposite direction.

The electric-discharge device I! comprises an envelope Si in which are positioned an anode 32, a cathode 33, and a grid element 34 substantially surrounding the anode. The envelope is filled with inert gas, such as argon or neon, under a pressure of approximately one hundredth of a millimeter of mercury. The electricdischarge device it is of similar construction comprising an envelope 35 having positioned therein an anode 3G, a cathode 31 and a grid element 38.

For a given impressed voltage between the anode and the cathode of the tube It, or of the tube It, and for a given ratification of the gas within the tube, the gas will become ionized sufliciently to permit an appreciable current to pass through the space between the cathode and the anode, providing no force is present to oppose such current flow. When the grids I4 and 38 of the tubes l5 and i6, respectively, are

connected as shown in the drawings, they will acquire a negative charge when alternating current is applied to the terminals of the tubes, which charge acts to oppose ionization of the gas within the envelope of the tubes. A much greater voltage is then required between the anode and cathode of a tube to ionize the gas in the space between them and permit current to flow through the tube.

The tubes i5 and ii are of such design that for the voltage impressed across the terminals 32 and 33 of the tube lb, or the terminals 38 and 31 of the tube It, from a transformer 42 that is energized from the conductors I, and 4, current will not pass through the tubes when a negative charge exists on the grid, but will pass when the negative charge is removed.

The electricdischarge device I! is connected in series circuit relation with the parallel connected windings 21 of the directional switches Ii and I! to control the energization thereof by means of a circuit from potential transformer 4! which impresses an alternating potential between the cathode 33 and the anode 32 of the discharge device. Similarly, an alternating potential is impressed between the cathode 31 and the anode 36 of the electric-discharge device I6 by the potential transformer 42.

The contact-making voltmeter l1 comprises a permanent magnet 43 and an armature 44 having a winding I! that is connected to the secondary winding of the transformer l9 and energized in accordance with the voltage between the circuit conductors 2 and I. The armature H is provided with an arm 46 that carries, at its end, a contact member 1 which cooperates with two stationary contact members 48 and 4! to control the operation of the tubes i5 and it. A biasing member, such as a spring 50, is provided for normally biasing the arm 46- in a direction to cause engagement of the contact members 41 and ll. The energization of the winding it causes the armature to be biased against the action of the spring 50.

The autotransformer 4| is connected to the secondary winding of the transformer II by means of conductors 5| and 52, the conductor 5i being connected at a point 54 remote from the lower terminal thereof. The conductor Si is also connected to ground at 53 and to the cathodes 33 and 31 of the tubes is and I6, respectively. A circuit extends from one terminal of the autotransformer 4i through conductor 51, the upper of the two limit switches 58, conductor 59, and by branch conductors I through the windings 21 of the switches II and I2, and by branch conductors l! to the anode 32 of the tube II, through the tube, and from the cathode 33 thereof by the conductor II to the point 54 of the autotransformer ll.

From the point of union of the branch conductors 62 a circuit continues through resistors 63 and 64, one winding 85 of a grid transformer 68, and by conductor 61 to the lower ll of the autotransformer H. The junction point between the resistors 63 and N is connected through a grid leak resistance II to the grid 84, and by conductor 10 to the contact member 48 of the voltmeter II.

A similar circuit extends from the upper terminal of the auto-transformer ll through conductor 51, the lower of the limit switches ll, through conductor 1|, branch conductors II and windings TI of the reversing switches I3 and II and branch conductors 18 to the anode I. of the tube l6, through the tube II, when in a current conducting condition, to the cathode "I, conductor 5!, to the point 54 of the auto-transformer I. From the anode I! a circuit continues through the resistors II and II, the winding 16 of the grid transformer 11, conductor 18, winding 8! of the transformer I and conductor 61 to the lower terminal ll of the autotransformer ll. The Junction point between the resistors II and I5 is connected through a grid leak resistor to the grid ll of the tube It and by a conductor 1! to the contact member 49 of the voltmeter ii.

A selector switch II is provided with a contact member I! that is connected to the point 83 of the autotransformer ll and is movable to selectively engage one of the contact members ll, .5 or 86 to select the desired manner of operating the induction regulator. When the switch blade 82 is in engagement with the contact member 84 the regulator will be controlled by the transmitter II to return to its mid or neutral position in a manner to be later described. When the switch blade is in engagement with the contact member II the regulator may be manually controlled by the switch .1, which is connected to close circuits through the conductor I! and the windings 21 of the switches II and llto operate the motor 0 in one direction, or through the conductor Oi and the windings 21 of the switches II and I4 to operate the motor 6 in the other direction. When the switch blade I! is in its lower position in engagement with the contact member 86 the movable contact member 41 of the contact-making voltmeter I1 is connected to the point I! of the autotransformer 4|, thus permitting automatic control of the regulator by the voltmeter i1.

If the voltage of the circuit 2-4 decreases with respect to its desired value the torque developed by the armature ll of the voltmeter II will be insufficient to overcome the pull of the biasing member BI and the armature will rotate sufficiently to cause engagement of the contact members 41 and I, thereby providing a leakage path for the grid member 34 of the discharge device IS. The grid member 34 will then have a potential above that of the cathode II and the electric-discharge device I will become conductive and complete a circuit energizing the windings 21 of the directional switches II and I2 through the circuits previously traced. Operation of the switches II and I2 causes the motor it to be connected to the supply conregulator I.

,ductorstlanditooperaieinadirectionto through the tube Ii, which current operates the switches is and to close a circuit between the supply conductors 1. I and s and the motor s to operate the motor in a direction to decrease the voltage of the supply conductors f-l.

Should, at any time,-it become desirable-to remove the regulator I from service, the contact I! of the switch ll may be thrown .to eng ge the contact member '4. thus completing a circuit irom the point I! of the autotransformer ll through theswitch II, the primary winding if of the transmitter II and the conductor 00 to a tap point as of theauto-transiormer ll. thus impressing a voltage on the primary winding 0!. The winding 02 is inductively related to aseoondary winding ll, the twowindingsbein'garrangedinamannersimilar to the windings oi an induction regulator, the device ll comprising in eiiect a miniature regulator, the winding II 0! which is actuated in accordance with the movement of the winding i of the regulator I.

The positiom of-the windings O2 and II are such that when the regulator I is in its neutral or mid position, no voltage is induced between the windings II and II, while if the regulator i is in any other than its neutral position, a voltage will be induced in the winding ll, the polarity of which depends upon whether theregulatcr I is in a buck or boost position, and the value of which depends upon the distance of the regulator rotor from its neutral position. 'lhis voltage decreases as the regulator approaches its neutral position and disappears at that position. The winding Ii is connected in a circuit comprising a conductor I. the winding ll of the grid transformer it, conductor II. the winding ll of the grid transformer 11, and conductor III to the other terminal of the winding I. The windings l1 and II are connected in opposite polarity, that is to produce opposite elects in the windings II and II respectively associated therewith. Accordingly, the grid, oi

one of the tubes II or II is made positive while the other is made negative.

The tube in which the grid is made positive will become conducting, thus causing the associated secondary .relays II and II, or II and I4, toclose'an eiiect operationofthemotortintheoneorinthe other direction toward neutral position oi the Asthe regulator approaches its neutral position, the voltage induced in the winding II and, consequently, in the windings l1 and "will decrease. and the grid bias caused thereby upon the grids of the tubes II and it will decrease until at the neutral position the grid bias will disappear and the motor will stop.

lteierring to Fig. I, the. induction regulator i, the contact making'voltmeter H, the autotransiormer II, and their connections to the power circuit conductors I and 3 are the same as in the system illustrated in Fig. i. when the control system is employed to govern the induction regulator the small induction deviceor transmitter ll of Fig. i may be omitted, as illustrated, in the system of Fig. 2 and the circuit represented by the conductors Ill and II, and including the primary windings II and I, respectively, of the grid transformers It and II, may be connected, through the switch Ill, between the"polnts I and ill which are the terminal points oi the series winding 5 of the induction regulator I.

The. system illustrated .2. from that illustrated in Fig. l, in that the secondary relays, or motor control mercury switches, are omitted and a single phase capacitor motor I" is employed to operate the regulator l and is controlled by hot cathode vacuum tubes I, III, II. and I", the control grids of which are biased in a manner similar to that of the grids shown in the system oi Figi. The vacuum tubes of Fig. 2 differ from the gas filled or grid glow tubes illustrated in Fig. l, in that in the gas illled tubes, the current iaeither flowing at its full value or is completely cut oil, while in the vacuum tube thev current varies in a manner depending upon the magnitude oi the grid voltage, the current increasing with increasing positive bias up to a relatively high value.

The connections of the secondary windings ll and II oi the grid control transformers l6 and II, respectively, to the lower terminal B. of the auto-transformer II and the connections of the resistors 04, i3 and I with respect to the power transformer II and to the anode and grid of the tube I, and the resistors II, It and II with respect to the transformer II and to the anode and grid of the tube Ill, correspond to the connections between the same elements shown in Fig. l. the tubes II and It oi Fig. 1 corresponding to the tubes I and I of Pig. 2. The connections between the contact members I and ll of the contact making voltmeter l1 and the tube control grids are the same as in the system of Fig. 1. Since a tube passes current only during alternate one-half cycles, two tubes Ill and Ill, and Ill and III, are respectively connected to provide for both directions of current flow in each of the two motor operating circuits. I

The motor control circuit for operating the motor III in a direction to increase or boost the voltage in the circuit of the conductors 2-4 extends from the upper terminal Iii of the auto-transformer II, by conductor III, through the motor winding litthat. is connected in parallel circuit relation with a current path extending through the motor winding III and the condenser III in series. by conductor Ill, tubes Ill and Ill, conductor III, and a con ductor II to the point It on the auto-transformer II. The motor control circuit for Operating the motor in a direction to buck or decrease the voltage of the conductors 2-3 is from the terminal III of the auto-transformer II by conductor H2, the motor winding I which is in parallel circuit relation to a current path through the motor winding Ill and the condenser III, by conductor Iii. tubes Ill and Ill and conductors Ill and ll to the point It on the auto transformer ll.

To operate the motor I" in the one or in the other direction, one of the grid control conductors Ill or I2! is connected to the point ll on the auto-transformer I through the associated contact member ill or I of the manually operable switch I", or the associated contact member I or 40 of the contact making voltmeter I1, and through the switch I20 in its appropriate circuit closing position.

For example, if it is desired to control the motor I05 by the contact making voltmeter I1, the switch I25 is closed to connect the point 03 through conductor I21, the switch contact member I28 and conductor I20 to the movable contact member 41 of the contact making voltmeter I1. It now the voltage oi the circuit 2-0 drops below its desired value, the contact member 41 engages the contact member 40, thus connecting the grid control conductor I2I and the grid I3I oi the tube I05 to the point 03 of the auto-transformer H by the circuit just described. During the one-half cycle in which the terminal III is positive with respect to the point 54, this grid control circuit provides a positive bias on the grid IOI with respect to the cathode I32 and permits current to flow through the tube I06 from the plate I30 to the filament or cathode I32.

An auxiliary grid transformer I34, having a primary winding I35 connected between the grid I3I and the conductor 5I and to the point 54 of the auto-transformer, and having a secand winding I30 connected between the anode I03 oi the tube I06 and the grid I31 of the tube I01, acts to produce a bias on the grid I31 with respect to the point III of a similar amount but of opposite phase displacement to the bias on the filament I3I with respect to the point 54 on the auto-transformer 4I, thus permitting current to flow through the tube I01 from the plate I35 to the cathode I38 during the one-halt cycle in which the point 54 is positive with respect to the point III. When current flows through the tubes I05 and I01 and the winding IE3 oi the motor I05, as above traced, the motor is operated in a direction to cause the induction regulator I to boost the voltage on the circuit 2-4.

It the voltage on the conductors 2-3 increases above itsdesired value, the contact member 41 will be biased downwardly against the action of the spring 50, causing engagement oi the contact members 41 and 49 and connecting the grid I44 oi the tube I00 through the conductor I22 to the point 03 of the autotransiormer, as above described. The auxiliary grid control transformer I41, comprising a primary winding I40 connected between the grid I44 and the conductor 5I and a secondary winding I40 connected between the plate I46 of the tube I08 and the grid I5I of the tube I09, functions in the same manner with respect to the tubes I08 and I09, as does the grid transformer I04 with respect to the tubes I05 and I01, thus permitting current to flow between the plate I40 and the cathode I45 of the tube I00 during alternate hali cycles oi the alternating voltage wave and between the plate I53 and the cathode I52 of the tube I00 during the remaining hali cycles of the alternating voltage wave, thus completing a circuit through the winding II4 oi the motor I05, causing it to operate in a direction to decrease the voltage on the circuit comprising conductors 2-0.

The same operation of the motor may be eiiected manually, ii desired, by operating the switch I25 to connect the point 00 of the autotransiormer with the contact member HI, and by conductor I42 to the moving contact member I40 0! the manually operated switch I25, and by operating the switch to cause engagement of the contact member I40 with the contact member I20 or the contact member I24.

Referring to Fig. 3, the motor I05 is a single phase capacitor motor similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2 and is controlled by the saturating core reactors IOI and I02. One oi the motor windings is connected in a circuit extending from the terminal III oi the auto-transformer H, by conductor I00, through the motor winding, by conductor I04 and windings I05 and I00 oi the reactor IOI to conductor 5| and to the point 54 on the auto-transformer 4|. The other motor winding is connected by a circuit that extends from the terminal III oi the auto-transformer H by conductor I00, through the other motor winding, by conductor I01, windings I00 and I00 oi the reactor I 02, and conductor 5| to point 54 on the auto-transiormer H.

The reactors IOI and I02 have sumciently high reactance to prevent the flow oi appreciable current therethrough unless saturated by direct current. These reactors are provided with saturating windings HI and I12, respectively, connected in series with tubes I10 and I14, which, when conducting, saturate the respective cores oi the reactors and permit the how of alternating current through the motor circuits. The tubes I10 and I14 are connected in circuit in the same way as are the tubes I00 and I00, respectively, oi the system shown in Fig. 2, the coils HI and I12 oi the reactors being substituted ior the coils H0 and H4, respectively oi the motor I05, and the grids I10 and I10 oi the two tubes are connected to be controlled by the contact making voltmeter I1 in a manner similar to the grids IOI and I44 oi the tubes I00 and I00 oi Fig. 2.

However, only one tube ior each motor circuit is used in the system oi Fig. 3, which passes current during each alternate halt cycle of the alternating current wave. Condensers I11 and I10 are connected in parallel, respectively, with the saturating windings HI and I12 oi the reactors to smooth out the impulses in the unidirectional current therethrough. The manually controlled switch 01 and the selector switch H are connected to the auto transiormer in the same manner as in the system illustrated in In the embodiment oi the invention illustrated in Fig. 3, the neutral return device comprises a potentiometer IOI having a transiormer including a primary winding I02 that is connected between the points 00 and 04 oi the auto transformer 4I when the switch 0| is closed in its upper position. The transiormer comprises also a secondary winding I00, the terminals oi which are connected to the terminals oi a resistor I04 and the midpoint I00 oi which is connected by the conductor I00, the primary windings 00 and 01, respectively, oi the grid controlled transiormers 11 and 00 and by conductor I01 to a moving contact member I00 and to a point on the resistor I04 depending upon the position oi the contact I00. When the induction regulator is in its mid position, the contact member I00 will also be at its mid or illustrated position and no voltage is impressed across the primary windings 01 and 00 oi the grid control transformers. As the induction regulator moves from its mid position. in the one or in the other direction, the contact member I00 is correspondingly moved by the rack I00 and pinion III geared to the motor I00, thus providing for impressing a voltage oi increasing 10 valueacrossthecircuitincludingtbeprimary ward and reverse energizing circuits ior said motor, a'grid-controlled electronic tube adapted to control each 0! said circuits, means for sup- PMM srid potentials to said two tubes, and means responsive to said circuit characteristic ior adjusting said potentials, the omnbinatton of selective means tor oppositely varying said tubegridpotentialsinaccordancewiththedepartureoisaidmovable memberiromapredetermined intermediate or neutral position to therebycsusethemotortoreturnsaidmember tossidneutralposition.

2.1nasystemcomprisinganelectricslcircuit, a regulator having a movable member for adjusting a characteristic of said circuit, a motor adapted to actuate said member to any point within predetermined limits oi travel. forward and reverse energizing circuits for said motor, agrid-controiled electronic tube adapted to control each oi said circuits, means for sup P 7 8 grid potentials to 'said two tubes, and means responsive to said circuit characteristic ior adjusting said potentials, the combination of selective means, comprising a pair oi inductively related windings the relative positions oi. which are determinedtby the position oi the movable member at the regulator, for oppositely varying said tube grid potentials in accordance with the departure of said member from a given intermediate or neutral position to thereby cause the motor to return said member to said neutral position.

3. In a regulating system comprising an electrical circuit, a regulator having a movable member for adjusting a characteristic 0! said circuit, a motor for actuating said member to any point within predetermined limits of travel. forward and reverse energizing circuits for said motor. a grid-controlled electronic-tube adapted to control each of said circuits, means ior supvI'M! grid-potentials to said two tubes, and

means responsive 'to said circuit characteristic adapted to so vary said potentials as to render the tubes selectively conductive, the combination of neutral-position-return means adapted to oppositely vary said tube grid potentials in accordance with the departure of said movable member from a predetermined intermediate or neutral position, and means for transierring the control oi said grid-potential supply means from said circuit-characteristic responsive means to said neutrsl-position-return means.

EDWARD R. WOLFIRT. 

